dashed past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dashed past" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something moving quickly by a particular point or location. Example: "The runner dashed past the finish line, leaving the crowd in awe of her speed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"É pericoloso!" she cried as we dashed past.

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Lu started cutting as a rackety train dashed past.

The New York Times

Cale Charney, her business partner and the organization's events manager, dashed past.

The New York Times

She dashed past me suddenly to wave down a chauffered Volvo.

The New Yorker

On Thursday, 10 people dashed past soldiers into the compound, carrying a small amount of food.

The New York Times

Furniture makers sprayed chemicals that strafed my lungs as I dashed past.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Just then, she caught sight of several security guards dashing past her chair.

The New York Times

It straightened and almost seemed to quicken off the pitch, dashing past Ali's outside-edge.

The Guardian - Sport

"This way," he said, dashing past a mass of sleeping bags and pillows and empty Gatorade bottles.

The New York Times

Apples are picked while people are talking on the phone, the picker dashing past and doing the deed in midstride.

The New York Times

"It's hard to be stressed with puppies running around," said Katie Zelonka as she watched them dash past.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dashed past" to vividly depict a quick movement from one point, emphasizing both speed and direction.

Common error

Avoid using "dashed past" in formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "passed" or "moved quickly" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dashed past" functions primarily as a verb phrase, depicting an action of rapid movement and surpassing a specific point or object. It's often used to vividly describe scenarios involving speed and direction, as exemplified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sports

24%

Travel

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dashed past" is a verb phrase used to describe rapid movement beyond a certain point. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news, sports, and travel writing. While effective for creating a vivid image of speed, it may be less suitable for formal or academic contexts, where more neutral terms might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "raced by" or "sped past" depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. As demonstrated by Ludwig, the phrase's strength lies in its ability to emphasize the speed and momentum of an action, making it a valuable tool for descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raced by

Implies a high speed and competitive element compared to a simple passing.

sped past

Emphasizes the quickness of movement more directly.

whizzed by

Suggests a very rapid and almost instantaneous passage.

zoomed past

Similar to "whizzed by", but may imply a continuous accelerated motion.

shot past

Conveys a sudden and forceful movement.

flashed by

Implies the movement was so fast it was barely noticed.

swept past

Suggests a smooth, continuous, and possibly graceful motion.

hurtled past

Highlights the danger or force associated with the rapid movement.

blew past

Similar to "sped past" but with a more forceful connotation.

breezed past

Indicates an easy and effortless passing.

FAQs

How can I use "dashed past" in a sentence?

You can use "dashed past" to describe someone or something moving quickly by a particular point. For example, "The athlete "dashed past" the finish line."

What are some alternatives to "dashed past"?

Alternatives include "raced by", "sped past", or "whizzed by", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "dashed past" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "dashed past" might be too informal for academic or professional writing. Consider using a more neutral term like "moved quickly by".

What's the difference between "dashed past" and "passed by"?

"Dashed past" implies a higher speed and more emphasis on the quickness of the movement compared to the more general term "passed by".